SOFSA Blog
Meet Alexander Warshal
It is our delight to introduce Alexander Warshal (he/him/his), SOFSA’s new Food Systems Project Coordinator! As Food Systems Project Coordinator, Alexander will focus on topics such as food rescue, farm-to-institution, farmer engagement, and urban agriculture. He is...
In the news: “Winter market helps address food desert in Syracuse’s Southside”
The Valley Plaza Winter Market was recently featured in the news as a project that is currently addressing food access issues in the Southside of Syracuse. SOFSA partners Brady Farm and Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now! (FAHNN) have been instrumental in the...
SOFSA Site Visit Recap: Maple Tapping Demonstration
Last Sunday, March 12th, SOFSA hosted our first site visit of the year at Sunnycrest Park in the Northside of Syracuse, a workshop about maple tapping. The workshop brought together 21 participants passionate about urban forestry, maple tapping, and foraging. Together...
In the news: “How the Downtown Farmers Market Plans to Boost Offerings in 2023”
SOFSA was recently mentioned in an article published by Spectrum New 1 on March 13th, 2023 in their ongoing coverage of the Downtown Farmers Market expansion plans . The article highlights the $41,400 awarded to the Market from New York Ag and Markets to boost...
In the news: “How the Syracuse Downtown Farmers Market plans to boost offerings in 2023”
The Syracuse Downtown Farmers Market was recently awarded $41,400 in grant funding from New York Agriculture and Markets. This funding will be used to tell farmer stories, as well as for other activities in partnership with SOFSA and the CNY Regional Market. The...
In the news: “‘This is, overall, going to hurt’: End to emergency SNAP funds hits CNY”
SOFSA's Director, Maura Ackerman, was recently interviewed in an article highlighting the end to the Emergency Allotment program that added an additional $90 per month to households receiving SNAP benefits. The article talks with several local experts who emphasize...
Civic Engagement 101: Engaging Public Officials About Your Food System
Last Thursday, February 23, SOFSA hosted Civic Engagement 101: Engaging Public Officials About Your Food System! The training workshop – co-created by Maura Ackerman, Mary Carney, and Ellen Pitstick – brought together 37 participants looking to learn more about how to...
In the news: “Seven Valleys Health Coalition Receives Grant to Reduce Food Waste and Food Insecurity”
On Thursday, January 19th, 2023, an award for $150,000 from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation as well as $9,700 in funding from the Onondaga County Agricultural Council was awarded to SOFSA, the Seven Valleys Health Coalition, and Syracuse University's Center for...
2023 Community Listening Session Request for Proposals
We are excited to announce that SOFSA has released a Request for Proposals for our 2023 Community Listening Sessions. These Community Listening sessions were piloted last summer in partnership with longtime SOFSA partner organizations, and we are thrilled to continue...
2022 Annual Report
2022 was a huge year for SOFSA. We grew in ways we could have never imagined, and collectively imagined new ways of growing. This year's Annual Report celebrates those accomplishments, gives thanks for the stories we've shared, and grounds us for what is sure to be...